The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced funding of £30m towards 10 projects that reflect the diversity of the UK’s heritage.
A major beneficiary is Polli:Nation, a UK-wide biodiversity project that aims to protect UK insects, and has gained initial support of £1.3m, including a development grant of £26,000.
‘Free’ pollination by bees and other insects is worth over £400m to UK agriculture each year but their numbers are in severe decline.
Polli:Nation will engage 260 schools to help transform their grounds into pollinator-friendly habitats.
Data recording will monitor any changes in species diversity and numbers. A key driver is to increase awareness of nature and particularly insects.
A network of young enthusiasts will help by spreading knowledge and creating green ‘stepping stones’ such as bug hotels and bee houses to enable insects to move with ease between different areas.
Lucy Rothstein, CEO at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said: "It’s vital that our next generation of conservationists understand the threats to bumblebees and other pollinating insects and have the knowledge, skills and resources to protect them.
"A project of this nature has the potential to equip a generation to protect our precious pollinator species, ensuring their long-term future."
Other initiatives gaining support include projects which showcase Bristol as one of the major players in our nation’s maritime story and plans to revitalise St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire.
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